Integration monitor is a daily Latvian press digest on ethnic minority and society integration issues. The Monitor reviews the biggest Latvian dailies: Diena, Latvijas Avize, Neatkariga (in Latvian language), Vesti Segodnya (in Russian language). In specific cases other information sources are used. Latvian Centre for Human Rights is not responsible for information published by the media.

• Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis: Latvia must introduce new technologies and increase labour productivity instead of attracting cheep labour force
• MPs Jakovs Pliners and Valerijs Buhvalovs propose a new model how to teach the Russian culture in Latvias schools
• FHRUL has forwarded to the Saeima a draft law concerning citizenship
• Vice Mayor of the Liepaja: City Council is not planning to close any school providing education in Russian
• Telegraf reports that Latvia might be asked to grant asylum to Iraqi refugees
• Telegraf speculates that Moldavians will come to work to Latvia

Yesterday, the Prime Minister of Latvia Aigars Kalvitis stated that Latvia must introduce new technologies and increase labour productivity instead of planning attract cheep foreign work force.

Yesterday, the Prime Minister of Latvia Aigars Kalvitis stated that Latvia must introduce new technologies and increase labour productivity instead of planning attract cheep foreign work force. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

MPs Jakovs Pliners and Valerijs Buhvalovs have drafted a new model on how to teach the Russian culture and forwarded a draft project to Minister of Education Baiba Rivza.

MPs Jakovs Pliners and Valerijs Buhvalovs have drafted a new model on how to teach the Russian culture and forwarded a draft project to Minister of Education Baiba Rivza. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Yesterday, For Human Rights in United Latvia (FHRUL) submitted to the Saeima a draft law on granting Latvian citizenship to persons who performed alternative service or active military service in Latvia from October 1991 to May 1993 as within the period both citizens and non-citizens were subjected to military service. The FHRUL argues that non-citizens who served during the time period must be granted Latvian citizenship.

Yesterday, For Human Rights in United Latvia (FHRUL) submitted to the Saeima a draft law on granting Latvian citizenship to persons who performed alternative service or active military service in Latvia from October 1991 to May 1993 as within the period both citizens and non-citizens were subjected to military service. The FHRUL argues that non-citizens who served during the time period must be granted Latvian citizenship. Chas

Chas prints an interview with the Vice Mayor of the Liepaja (city in the Northern part of Latvia) City Council Silve Golda regarding information spread by some media that the Liepaja City Council is planning to close several Russian language schools in the city. Silve Golda states that the Council has just launched discussions on development of education in the city. Mrs. Golda says that the number of school children in both Latvian and Russian schools is decreasing due to the low birth rate, therefore the school system has to be reconsidered. However, the Vice Mayor notes that there are no plans to close any Russian language school in Liepaja.

Telegraf reports that Sweden that receives the highest number of Iraqi refugees is going to call on other the EU member countries to grant asylum for Iraqi migrants. A representative of the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in an interview with Telegraf reports that the Latvias stance has not been discussed yet. The representative of the MFA also argues that Latvia does not have capacities to accept a large number of refugees.

Telegraf reports that Rumania has prepared a draft law on speeding up granting Rumanian citizenship to Moldavians. The columnist argues that about one and a half million of Moldavians who have Rumanian citizenship might come to Latvia as guest workers in the nearest future. As reported, Latvia did not set any restrictions on free movement of workers from the two new EU countries -Rumania and Bulgaria.